Defense Minister Rajnath Singh recently declared a significant shift in the nature of warfare, stating that conflicts are now measured in ‘hours and seconds, not months.’ Addressing the 42nd Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Commanders’ Conference, he highlighted how advanced technologies like satellites, drones, and sensors are reshaping modern combat. Singh urged the ICG to proactively develop a forward-thinking strategy that anticipates emerging threats, embraces cutting-edge innovations, and continuously adapts its operational approaches.
During the conference, held at the ICG’s headquarters, the Minister emphasized that cyber and electronic warfare are no longer theoretical dangers but concrete realities facing today’s defense landscape. He warned that adversaries might attempt to cripple national systems not with conventional missiles, but through sophisticated hacking, debilitating cyber-attacks, and electronic jamming. To counter these evolving threats, he stressed the imperative for the ICG to relentlessly adapt and enhance its training and equipment. Singh advocated for automated surveillance networks and AI-powered systems as crucial tools to minimize response times, ensuring a state of constant readiness.
Reiterating his core message, the Defense Minister underscored that the advent of satellites, drones, and advanced sensors has irrevocably transformed warfare, making speed and immediate response paramount. Singh pointed out the ‘enormous challenges’ presented by India’s extensive 7,500-kilometer coastline, along with its strategic island territories like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. Effectively safeguarding these areas demands sophisticated technology, highly skilled personnel, and continuous, 24/7 surveillance.
He further highlighted that modern maritime threats are increasingly complex, driven by advanced technology and encompassing multiple dimensions. The Minister noted that traditional illicit activities, such as smuggling and piracy, have transformed into highly advanced operations. Criminals now leverage tools like GPS spoofing, remote-controlled vessels, encrypted communication, drones, satellite phones, and even dark web networks to execute their illicit schemes.
He also cautioned that terrorist organizations are similarly exploiting modern technological advancements, including digital mapping and real-time intelligence, to meticulously plan and execute their operations. To stay ahead of both criminals and adversaries, Singh asserted that traditional security methods are insufficient. He called for the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning-driven surveillance, drones, robust cyber-defense systems, and automated response mechanisms into India’s comprehensive maritime security framework.
This three-day conference, from September 28 to 30, was convened against a backdrop of escalating maritime security challenges and the increasing strategic importance of the Indian Ocean Region.
Singh lauded the ICG as a crucial pillar of national security, acknowledging its impressive evolution from a humble initial fleet into a formidable force boasting 152 vessels and 78 aircraft. According to a statement from the Defense Ministry, since its inception, the ICG has successfully intercepted 1,638 foreign vessels and detained 13,775 foreign fishermen engaged in illegal activities within India’s maritime boundaries. The ICG’s remarkable effectiveness in combating transnational maritime crime is further demonstrated by its seizure of 6,430 kilograms of narcotics, worth an estimated ₹37,833 crore. Additionally, the Coast Guard’s commitment to search and rescue (SAR) operations is commendable, having completed 76 missions by July this year, saving 74 lives. Cumulatively, it has rescued over 14,500 lives during various disaster response efforts.
Singh emphasized the ICG’s consistent and swift response in protecting lives and property during emergencies, including cyclones, oil spills, industrial accidents, and aiding foreign vessels in distress. He remarked, ‘The world judges India by how we act in such crises, and the ICG has consistently brought us honour.’
The Defense Minister also highlighted the ICG’s distinctive role, operating at the critical juncture of both external and internal security. He explained that by diligently patrolling India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the ICG effectively thwarts external threats while simultaneously tackling illegal fishing, drug and arms trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking, marine pollution, and other irregular maritime activities. Singh commended the ICG’s seamless real-time collaboration with civil administration and other forces, which significantly strengthens the nation’s overall security framework. He asserted, ‘You are no longer just a security provider; you are a true force multiplier.’
The senior BJP leader reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to modernizing the ICG, noting that an impressive nearly 90% of its capital budget is dedicated to acquiring indigenous assets. Singh drew a compelling distinction between land and maritime borders. He observed that while land boundaries are typically permanent, clearly delineated, and predictable, maritime borders are inherently fluid, continuously shifting with tides, waves, and weather patterns.
He elaborated on the complexities of maritime security, explaining that a smuggling vessel can disguise itself as a fishing boat, terrorist groups can exploit the vastness of the sea, and threats can materialize imperceptibly. He concluded that maritime security is significantly more complex and unpredictable than land border defense, necessitating unwavering vigilance.
The Defense Minister praised the ICG’s remarkable progress in women’s empowerment, highlighting that women officers now serve not just in support functions but as courageous frontline warriors. Referring to regional developments in countries like Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Nepal that have implications for coastal security, particularly in the Bay of Bengal, he urged the ICG to maintain not only routine surveillance but also a keen geopolitical awareness, ready to respond rapidly to external shifts.
Singh concluded by emphasizing that disruptions in maritime trade, whether physical or cyber, can trigger widespread repercussions across both security and economic spheres. ‘We must treat national security and economic security as one and the same,’ he stated, underlining that ‘preparedness, adaptability, and rapid response must be the cornerstones of the ICG’s vision.’